seventeenth century; but they were not called schooners, and they were not schooners as we understand the rig. In fact, prior to the above date no trace can be found of a schooner.
Babson's History of Gloucester contains an interesting account of this vessel: "A current tradition of the town (Gloucester) relates the origin of the 'schooner'; and abundant testimony, of both a positive and negative kind, confirm the story so strongly, that it is unnecessary to take further notice here of the verbal account. Dr. Moses Prince, brother of the annalist, writing in this town September 25, 1721, says: 'Went to see Capt. Robinson's lady, etc. This gentleman was the first contriver of schooners, and built the first of the sort about eight years since; and the use that is now made of them, being so much known, has convinced the world of their conveniency beyond other vessels, and shows how mankind is obliged to this gentleman for this knowledge.' Nearly seventy years afterwards, another visitor gives some further particulars of this interesting fact. Cotton Tufts, Esq., connected with us by marriage, being in Gloucester, September 8, 1790, writes: 'I was informed (and committed the same to writing) that the kind of vessels called "schooners" derived their name from this circumstance; viz., Mr. Andrew Robinson of that place, having constructed a vessel which he masted and rigged in the same manner as schooners are at this day, on her going off the stocks and passing into the water, a bystander cried out, "Oh, how she scoons."
